I know it's not rainy really out there at TTITD but back here in the real world.. What are people's experiences with using generators in the rain? I have a eu3000is and was wondering if it is bad. This is just use for a night, not long term outside storage. Gonna try and put a little cover on it while it's running, maybe a trash bag over the outlets but will a little rain do any real harm? As long as I don't block the air intake or exhaust I should be ok right?

Seeing water dripping over plugs and outlets is a definite sign to turn off the generator, or risk getting shocked or having fuses trip or the generator shorted out. Most generators come with a similar warning.

If the generator is properly housed and elevated up off the playa, that would be a different story, provided there are no electrical chord plugs laying out in the rain.

JKhttp://www.mudskippercafe.comWhen I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me

I only ask here because in general I trust the hive mind. Did some google searches on it and the general consensus is "No problems at all, runs fine in a typhoon." Everyone just says don't store it unprotected.

It's just, you know, we here have a habit of running equipment in harder conditions then most.

I have the 3000, not the 2000, and it's got the wheel kit so it's up off the ground.

I own a Stanley generator and it's designed to run in the rain and snow. It's still new in the box and I can try to look for the exact model name but I recall it's called an "all weather" generator. I also bought the accessories kit and there's a cloth & metal frame type tent in the kit for rainy/snowing conditions. Fingers crossed it works (and I live! I like breathing air!) bc we lose power often in the Sierras. YMMV

I'm the MAN in a truck, burner who is stuck, you're in luck! I'll whip out my BIG tow chain and not charge you, not even one lousy buck!

Uh, yah. After the rain/dust storm that we had on-playa a few days after the temple burned I understand that concern. We had several fuses trip. Lost power to 2/3 of the Black Hole. Got more than one shock trying to restore power. It is amazing how conductive the playa actually is!! In the end, some sun & heat - combined with a team of troubleshooting Jerks was all it took.

I have used a generator in both rain storms and snow storms. As long as the generator slightly shaded from the rain, one should be fine! (I am lucky that there is some shelter when I need to use a generator @ the lake.)

YMMV

Love Rice

Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."

I don't know, but they were generators owned by two different people, both of whom use them for more than just the playa. (Which I presume means that they take care of them.) And they went out during the same dust storm.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

That is interesting. I'd imagine that the issue was actually the gas it self being in a container that was not completely sealed prior to being put into the generator.

As for running a generator in the rain, as everyone has said, keep it elevated and under something. Also keep the ends of all your extension cords and power strips off the ground and protected.

Something else to consider is buying plastic covers for all the outlets, like the ones folks use to 'baby proof' a house. I've seen hard plastic ones for 220v and 30A/120v but can't seem to find a google image.

Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~pieholePlan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

I hadn't thought of the leftover playa dust aspect. Since I got back the genny did get a full cleaning. (Hosed it off, wiped it down etc...) It worked fine after I let it dry out overnight. Just never used it in actual rain before.

Actually, wish I knew more, but I've flunked out on small engines. I'm convinced a combination of dirty generator power (both small & trailer-mounted) and playa dust destroyed my set of yellow cordless tools (guess the brand) plus a corded sidewinder saw. Somebody should expand the org's page on generator use to go beyond simple generator etiquette and try to help people prepare for common scenarios and pitfalls, including what a safe & secure generator shelter might look like that doesn't hamper smooth running, etc.

Guessing here, Bob, but low voltage is more likely to kill an electric motor than dirty sine wave signal.The starting load can be high and as voltage drops, motors strain and die, same as with long cords.A straight electric motor is pretty tolerant of a dirty signal, but any electronics involved may not be.

Cordless tools? Charging issues?

Water?Pure water is a poor conductor, but contaminants can conduct sometimes.Carbon conducts well, so if something starts burning, it can hasten failure.While sealed contacts are ideal, I've run cords for long periods of time outside.I've only had one failure and that was a heavy duty triple tap by woods that shorted across plugs and melted.Did no damage and I pulled it before it became a serious problem.I never run anything less than 12 gauge or 10 gauge.

Fiver wrote:I only ask here because in general I trust the hive mind. ....

HAHAHHAHAHHAAH!

Don't really come here often do you?

Actually something you might want to be asking yourself; mostly because it's more relevant, is: Should I run my Gennie in the Blazing sun? The Answer is...

NO!!!

You should also not re-Fuel it while it is hot.Now that you know how to use the googley and have RTFM it will be apparent. other things you might want to add to your FFAQ is:Should I Put my Genie in a Tent to keep it dry and out of the sun?

.......................................................................................Oh yeah, this year I was totally twerping out at the fence. ~Lonesombri

I'd keep the generator out of the rain such as under the rental truck and treat the cords like I normally would at a construction site on a rainy day. Don't let any junctions dip in any puddles. I guess you could wrap the junctions with plastic mover's wrap to make it a little safer.

The camp with a differenceNever mind the weatherWhen you camp with Plug & PlyYour holiday's forever

So it poured rain on the day as predicted, and the generator ran just fine outside. Made a small cover over the area where the outlets are to prevent them from getting wet, but besides that it ran just fine for 5-6 hours. Checked inside afterwards and the area where the air filter is was bone dry. (and still rather playa dusty, need to clean that out!)

Fiver wrote:So it poured rain on the day as predicted, and the generator ran just fine outside. Made a small cover over the area where the outlets are to prevent them from getting wet, but besides that it ran just fine for 5-6 hours. Checked inside afterwards and the area where the air filter is was bone dry. (and still rather playa dusty, need to clean that out!)

I am happy that you genni behaved itself! (A post-playa tuneup is probably a good idea!)

Love Rice

Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."

I should add, for short term storage: With the EU-3000, you can run the carbonator dry by shutting off the manual fuel valve. That valve is there for a reason.You can apparently accomplish the same with the EU-1000 by shutting off the vent on the fuel tank cap. Seems to serve the same function, only in a different way.